Mowing

sandreassi · #1 08-08-2010, 11:01 PM

I have my red 782 looking and running real nice and I am happy with it overall. However, it's not mowing as nicely as I'd like it to. Right now it's got the original 44" deck on it with gator blades. It just doesn't seem to be lifting the grass and cutting it. It's just cutting the grass that's higher and the rest of the grass seems to be growing off sideways and laying down. Are there high lift blades available for the older mowers? Should I stop using the gators? Are there other decks compatible with the 782 that would give a better cut? I need something at least 44", but preferably larger. Thanks in advance for any help.

young enthusiest · #2 08-09-2010, 12:55 AM

Dumb question here... Are theblades sharp? If they are dull I have had grass just fall over instead of being cut... Also the tires will knock the grass down too.

TEET · #3 08-09-2010, 01:17 AM

To add to Tyler's remarks....do you have a mulch plug for your deck? You know, a block off plate for the discharge chute? I'm pretty sure that gator blades are mulching blades, and they may not get the lift, or capability to re-cut grass clippings if you don't have a mulch plug.

I may be completely wrong here, as I've never had a set of gator blades...but I'm pretty sure they are mulching blades???

Good luck,

Jeff (teet)

R Bedell · #4 08-09-2010, 06:41 AM

Another question, is your motor running at Full Throttle.

I have a 784 with a 50C deck, and Gator Blades, and it cuts GREAT.

JayBrd · #5 08-09-2010, 07:59 AM

sandreassi, it's funny you posted this. I was having the same exact issue with my 682/44C set up. Deck is properly leveled, blades are sharp and running full throttle... It cuts good, but I get high spots in the cut grass where the wheel tracks are. The blades do cut really well but seems the lifting power is not what other blades I have used ever had.

How clean is the deck pan? I did notice mine gets worse if the deck gets a build up..

sandreassi · #6 08-09-2010, 08:04 AM

Thanks guys. This is my first year mowing with this particular machine and I like it. If I could improve the cut quality , I'd be completely happy with it.

I do keep the blades sharp, deck clean, and mow at full throttle. The tires and wheels do push down the grass (sounds like the same problem JayBrd has), but then the blades don't seem to pick it back up to cut it. When I watch the sides of the deck I can see that there really isn't much of a "vacuum" sucking up the blades to cut them. I cut once a week, so the grass doesn't get too high. And, we haven't had much rain here, so it's not wet either.

I do use the gator blades, but I don't have a mulching plug. They are mulching blades, but I think they can be used as regular blades.

Are there "high lift" blades out there for the older mowers? Do you think that would make a difference?

Are there any other decks that would work with this tractor?

Matt G. · #7 08-09-2010, 08:23 AM

Is WOT actually set correctly at 3600 rpm? I had one that wasn't, and you wouldn't believe the difference 200 rpm makes...

TEET · #8 08-09-2010, 08:32 AM

To add to all the great advice so far...is it possible that the deck pulley diameter could reduce the rpm of the blades? I'm not knowledgeable on which ones were sized differently though.

Jeff (teet)

ol'George · #9 08-09-2010, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandreassi

I have my red 782 looking and running real nice and I am happy with it overall. However, it's not mowing as nicely as I'd like it to. Right now it's got the original 44" deck on it with gator blades. It just doesn't seem to be lifting the grass and cutting it. It's just cutting the grass that's higher and the rest of the grass seems to be growing off sideways and laying down. Are there high lift blades available for the older mowers? Should I stop using the gators? Are there other decks compatible with the 782 that would give a better cut? I need something at least 44", but preferably larger. Thanks in advance for any help.

I Have a 50c (50") deck on my 782 with gator blades
It pretty much does the job you describe, not as well as my 47" deck on my 210 Deere with regular blades.
I'm thinking regular blades would give more lift, given the same conditions.
(correct rpm,sharp with a deck clean underneath)
I know I have to clean my deck every mowing = 3 to 3-1/2 hours-- because it has been wet and the grass is lush--very uncommon for this time of the year for me.
If the deck is not clean, it does a horrible job of mowing

It might be noted that the crabgrass/quackgrass what ever it is called is very viney this time of the year here in Mi. and it doesn’t want to "suck up" and be cut off like in the spring/early summer.

sandreassi · #10 08-09-2010, 05:13 PM

You know, this all did seem to start after I had new points, condenser, and the Walbro carb replaced in the spring. It could be possible that it wasn't adjusted to run at the same RPMs as before. To me it "sounded" slower when I got it back, but I have/had no proof.

I'm guessing I can't check the rpms without a timing device, so I don't know what the engine's running at. Would speeding up the engine just be a matter of adjust the carb?

Also, what does WOT stand for?